Then again, maybe they won’t both play Tuesday: Neither Nadal nor Spain's captain, David Ferrer, would say Monday whether the 22-time Grand Slam champion will participate. What is clear is that Nadal's career soon will be over. What will he miss the most?

Rafa Nadal will not dwell on his impending retirement at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga and only focus on helping Spain claim the trophy this week should he be called into action, the 38-year-old said on Monday.

Spain's Rafael Nadal bites the trophy as he celebrates winning his tenth French Open title against Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka after their men's final match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, June 11, 2017. Credit: AP/Christophe Ena